Should Kenny Jackett have been sacked sooner, recruiting a free agent to replace Sean Raggett and eyeing Sunderland in play-offs - your Pompey questions answered

1) It's plain to see the difference the Cowleys have made to Pompey's promotion hopes already. So is it unreasonable to say the club should have made the decision to part company with Kenny Jackett sooner?

Liam Mason (email)

Hi Liam, without doubt, many supporters have long wanted Kenny Jackett’s removal, even before this season started.

However, it’s worth noting that Pompey were top over the festive period. As a consequence, he was never going to be dismissed at that stage,

There was, of course, also an impressive three-month run which took the team to that point, rising from 21st to top.

Managers are rarely sacked when their side is winning consistently and leading a table.

They finally had to act after that awful Wembley display, coupled with sinking to 10th in the table. The culmination of a dreadful run.

Meanwhile, it’s important not to let hindsight cloud judgement. How many Pompey fans wanted the Cowleys? Even when Jackett was still in the job?

Daniel Stendel was the overwhelming supporter favourite on social media, Remember the German flags?

So while many wanted Jackett removed much, much earlier, few can genuinely claim they always knew Danny Cowley was the perfect replacement.

2) I'm worried about fatigue kicking into this Pompey side. We're already seeing proof of it against Rochdale and now Wigan. Could it ruin Pompey's run-in?

Henry Davies (email)

Danny Cowley admitted the running stats against Rochdale were so high that he was cornered it would be difficult matching them against Wigan.

As it turned out, that fear was right. Pompey’s head coach named Ben Close, Michael Jacobs and Tom Naylor, in particular, as looking tired at the DW Stadium.

I suppose in the case of Close and Jacobs, they haven’t played much football before March, for different reasons, so it’s to be expected.

Still, Cowley is aware of the challenge of ensuring forthcoming performances are not impacted by tiredness with eight league games left.

Rotating the squad is one solution, or even giving his players a few extra days off.

We saw Pompey’s players burnt out at the end of the 2018-19 season and those play-offs against Sunderland. The head coach has to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

3) Do you envisage Danny Cowley bringing in any free transfers given the injuries up front and Sean Raggett's broken cheekbone?

Graham Johnston (email)

It’s not as simple as bringing in a free agent to replace an injured player.

A newcomer has to be match fit for a start. Somebody who has been without a club since last summer (as most free transfers are) will obviously not have played games for a long time.

They may declare themselves fit, but also haven’t participated in football club training.

What’s more, there’s barely any time to bring someone up to speed. It can’t be achieved in a couple of sessions at Roko.

Anyhow, Rasmus Nicolaisen is the natural replacement for Raggett and did well when he appeared off the bench against Wigan.

James Bolton has also impressed at centre-half this season during a four-game spell in February, while Paul Downing is fit and available following injury.

4) Sunderland, Pompey, Blackpool and Lincoln all occupy the play-off places at the minute. Who would you fancy us to beat and who would you like us to avoid?

Iain Philips (email)

Sunderland are unbeaten in 14 and won 10 of those. Blackpool are unbeaten in 13 and won eight of those. While Lincoln have won one of their last nine.

There’s your answer!

Blackpool have actually done the double over Pompey this season, while Lincoln face a real battle to even remain in the play-offs, such is the extent of their poor form.

As for Sunderland, they won at Fratton Park and Pompey won at the Stadium of Light, so honours even. But ever since both have occupied the same division, those games have always been tight.

Let’s also focus on Pompey, though. Should the Blues maintain this strong finish – and the fixture list is certainly attractive – would anyone be keen to face them?

I suspect not. So perhaps flip it around and champion the strengths of this rejuventated side rather than fret over the opposition.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News has launched a subscription offer which gives you unlimited access to all of our Pompey coverage, starting at less than 14p a day.

You can subscribe here to get the latest news from Fratton Park - and to support our local team of expert Pompey writers.